Acts 19:4
Then said Paul, John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance, saying unto the people, that they should believe on him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.
Original Language Analysis
Παῦλος
Paul
G3972
Παῦλος
Paul
Strong's:
G3972
Word #:
3 of 24
(little; but remotely from a derivative of g3973, meaning the same); paulus, the name of a roman and of an apostle
μὲν
verily
G3303
μὲν
verily
Strong's:
G3303
Word #:
5 of 24
properly, indicative of affirmation or concession (in fact); usually followed by a contrasted clause with g1161 (this one, the former, etc.)
ἐβάπτισεν
baptized
G907
ἐβάπτισεν
baptized
Strong's:
G907
Word #:
6 of 24
to immerse, submerge; to make whelmed (i.e., fully wet); used only (in the new testament) of ceremonial ablution, especially (technically) of the ordi
μετανοίας
of repentance
G3341
μετανοίας
of repentance
Strong's:
G3341
Word #:
8 of 24
(subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication, reversal (of (another's) decision)
τῷ
G3588
τῷ
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
9 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
λαῷ
unto the people
G2992
λαῷ
unto the people
Strong's:
G2992
Word #:
10 of 24
a people (in general; thus differing from g1218, which denotes one's own populace)
λέγων
saying
G3004
λέγων
saying
Strong's:
G3004
Word #:
11 of 24
properly, to "lay" forth, i.e., (figuratively) relate (in words (usually of systematic or set discourse; whereas g2036 and g5346 generally refer to an
εἰς
is on
G1519
εἰς
is on
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
12 of 24
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
13 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
ἐρχόμενον
him which should come
G2064
ἐρχόμενον
him which should come
Strong's:
G2064
Word #:
14 of 24
to come or go (in a great variety of applications, literally and figuratively)
μετ'
after
G3326
μετ'
after
Strong's:
G3326
Word #:
15 of 24
properly, denoting accompaniment; "amid" (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession)
αὐτὸν
him
G846
αὐτὸν
him
Strong's:
G846
Word #:
16 of 24
the reflexive pronoun self, used (alone or in the comparative g1438) of the third person, and (with the proper personal pronoun) of the other persons
πιστεύσωσιν
they should believe
G4100
πιστεύσωσιν
they should believe
Strong's:
G4100
Word #:
18 of 24
to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e., credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to ch
ἔστιν
G2076
εἰς
is on
G1519
εἰς
is on
Strong's:
G1519
Word #:
21 of 24
to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose (result, etc.); also in adverbial phrases
τὸν
G3588
τὸν
Strong's:
G3588
Word #:
22 of 24
the (sometimes to be supplied, at others omitted, in english idiom)
Cross References
Acts 1:5For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence.Acts 11:16Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost.John 1:7The same came for a witness, to bear witness of the Light, that all men through him might believe.John 1:27He it is, who coming after me is preferred before me, whose shoe's latchet I am not worthy to unloose.
Historical Context
John the Baptist (AD 27-29) stood at the hinge of redemptive history, the last prophet of the old covenant and herald of the new. His execution by Herod Antipas (AD 31-32) occurred before many heard of Jesus' resurrection, leaving some followers in theological limbo.
Questions for Reflection
- How do you distinguish between preparatory religious practices and saving faith in Christ?
- What does John's self-effacing ministry teach about Christian leadership and pointing others to Jesus?
Analysis & Commentary
John verily baptized with the baptism of repentance—Paul carefully explains John's role as forerunner, whose baptism called for moral reformation (μετάνοια, metanoia—change of mind) while directing people toward him which should come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus. The Greek construction emphasizes John's explicit instruction: believe (πιστεύσωσιν) on the Coming One. John's ministry was never an end in itself but an arrow pointing to Christ. This verse refutes both those who elevate John above his preparatory role and those who dismiss baptism's importance—John's baptism mattered precisely because it anticipated Christian baptism.